Gray shield lichen owl

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Gray shield lichen owl
Cryphia raptricula01.jpg

Gray lichen owl ( Bryophila raptricula )

Systematics
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Bryophilinae
Genre : Bryophila
Type : Gray shield lichen owl
Scientific name
Bryophila raptricula
( Denis & Schiffermüller , 1775)

The gray shield lichen owl ( Bryophila raptricula ) is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae). In the past, various other German names were created and published for this species, but none of them has caught on: Shield lichen owl, gray lichen owl, rubble lichen owl, violet-gray algae owl, rock forest shield lichen owl.

features

butterfly

The moths reach a wingspan of about 22 to 28 millimeters. Their forewings are narrow, mostly slate gray in color and provided with a long black root welt. Specimens with a light brown central stripe are classified as f. deceptricula , ( Huebner ), those with almost monochrome black fore wings as f. carbonis ( Freyer ). Cross lines and blemishes are blurred or not recognizable. The hind wings shimmer gray-brown, somewhat lighter in the root area.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars are colored blue-gray. The white stripes on the side of the back, which also show orange spots and black warts, are striking. The head is mottled yellow and black.

Similar species

In these two species the brownish intermingling of the forewings is more pronounced. The transverse lines are more prominent and the root welt is missing.

Synonyms

A large number of synonyms are known for this species. These include:

  • Cryphia raptricula
  • Noctua raptricula
  • Bryophila divisa
  • Bryoleuca raptricula
  • Metachrostis raptricula
  • Phalaena palliola

Distribution and occurrence

The gray shield lichen owl is distributed from North Africa through Europe to southern Norway , central Sweden , southern Finland and the Baltic states , although it occurs somewhat more frequently in the south. In northern Central Europe, it is still in the spreading phase. Other areas of distribution are Russia to the vicinity of Moscow , Asia Minor and Central Asia and the Chinese part of Turkestan . In Germany, the species appeared shortly after the end of World War II in areas where it had never been observed before, especially in the middle of large cities such as Berlin and Hanover . This was due to the fact that the food supply of the caterpillars, which feed on the stone lichens that also grow on the rubble, suddenly expanded above average. After the renovation and redevelopment of the city centers, the species has become rarer again. It is mainly found in rocky areas, quarries, vineyards, ruins, on bridges, building walls and old walls, on roofs and on wooden fences.

Way of life

The moths are mostly nocturnal, fly from July to August and live very inconspicuously. They like to sit on rocks or walls overgrown with lichen. Occasionally they are already active in the twilight and also visit artificial light sources and bait . The caterpillars feed on lichens and algae, especially those species that grow on rocks and stones. The caterpillars can be found from September. They overwinter and pupate in June of the following year.

Danger

The gray shield lichen owl is widespread in Germany in different frequencies and is classified as not endangered on the red list of endangered species . In Baden-Württemberg , however, it is on the pre-warning list.

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Manfred Koch : We identify butterflies. Volume 3: Owls. 2nd, expanded edition. Neumann, Leipzig / Radebeul 1972, DNB 760072930 .
  2. ↑ Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 4: Owls. (Noctuidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 3-440-03752-5 .
  3. ^ Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 6 . Moth IV. Noctuidae 2nd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1997, ISBN 3-8001-3482-9 .
  4. ^ Karl Cleve: The butterflies of West Berlin. Berliner Naturschutzblätter, Volksbund Naturschutz eV No. 61, 1977
  5. ↑ Arno Bergmann: The large butterflies of Central Germany. Volume 4/1: Owls. Distribution, forms and communities. Urania-Verlag, Jena 1954, DNB 450378373 .
  6. ↑ Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Ed.): Red List of Endangered Animals in Germany . Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster 1998, ISBN 3-89624-110-9 .

literature

  • Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 6 . Moth IV. Noctuidae 2nd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1997, ISBN 3-8001-3482-9 .

Web links

Commons : Gray Lichen Owl  - Collection of images, videos and audio files